2014's Cheapest Winning Campaigns

Which candidates spent the least to win their races?

The subject of money in politics is not a new issue. While most attention is drawn to multi-million dollar campaigns and big-spending superPACs, it’s worth noting that several candidates won election to seats while campaigning on a tighter budget. According to our data, these are candidates Jose Serrano (NY-15), Angus King (D-ME), Richard Shelby (R-AL), Frederica Wilson (FL-24), and Martin Heinrich (D-NM).

For perspective, the most expensive campaign during these midterm elections was Senator Mitch McConnell’s twenty-eight million dollar effort to retain his Kentucky seat. Although many of these inexpensive campaigns took place in less competitive races, it demonstrates just how distorted the flow of money is in politics.

You can read all about 2014's most expensive campaigns in our story below.